Catherine, 91 years old, passed away on Friday, May 19th, 2023. The Funeral mass was held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Green Lake.
She had a family of 10 children. Within her busy day, she took time to pray, recite her rosary, pray for her family, for the Church she loved and for world intentions. In other words, she was a ‘woman of deep faith’.
I knew Catherine when I taught school in the 70’s in Green Lake. Following Marie Rivier’s canonization in Rome on May 15, 2022, the (foundress of the Presentation Sisters) a mass was celebrated in her honor in Prince Albert on May 28th. Catherine, who at the time was very ill, attended the mass with her daughter, Georgina. She had faith that Marie Rivier would help her celebrate that day with the Sisters of the Presentation whom she loved. She said, “I had to attend this Eucharist, I love the Sisters and they love me.”
Catherine shared Marie Rivier’s charism to “Make Jesus Christ Known and Loved.” She joined the Sisters’ Rosary Club in 1950, encouraging other women to join in prayer, as well as to cook for others, to make quilts, weaving, to reflect and share in family life. She was a dedicated person, involved in the church bingos, bazaars, bake sales and picnics etc.
On May 23rd, Tuesday afternoon, Sisters Esther Nogier and Lise Paquette of Prince Albert, joined the congregation for the Funeral Liturgy which began at the town hall where we paid respect to Catherine’s body by praying the prayers of the Church.
The Funeral mass was celebrated at St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church by Father Doug Jeffrey, o.m.i. The choir sang God’s praises for Catherine’s life. Fr. Doug reminded us of the beauty of Catherine’s devotion to Mary, to her family, to the Catholic community and Town of Green Lake.
Catherine was laid to rest at the Green Lake cemetery. As a sign of love and continued prayer, roses were laid on Catherine’s coffin and hands full of dirt accompanied the lowering of her body to the earth.
The day continued at the parish hall for fellowship and all enjoyed a well-prepared lunch by Jeannette Mackay and companions. This was a family day of prayer, of reminiscing as Catherine wished it to be.
All the Sisters express their sympathy to the family. We rejoice with Catherine who is now in heaven. May she rest in peace; we keep a loving memory of her compassionate, kind heart.